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Alexandria Police Year Long Vice/Narcotics Investigation Leads to Successful Prosecution

The Alexandria Police Department’s Vice/Narcotics Section has successfully concluded a year-long investigation into a complex criminal organization that imported and distributed hundreds of pounds of marijuana in the Metropolitan Washington area and laundered the resulting proceeds. On Thursday, September 13, James Hunter Hutchings was sentenced to 20 years with 16 years suspended and 10 years supervised probation. This follows his conviction on one count of Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering (RICO), one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana, one count of Importation of Marijuana and one count of Conspiracy to Launder Money.

Hutchings was indicted by a Grand Jury in April 2012 for conspiring to ship large amounts of marijuana from Arizona to this area. Several packages, containing over 40 pounds of marijuana, were intercepted by the U.S. Postal Inspector and the Alexandria Police Department’s Vice/Narcotics Section in August 2011.

From April 2011 to August 2012, Hutchings was responsible for shipping packages of marijuana from Arizona to addresses in the City of Alexandria, Maryland and Prince William County. The packages were addressed to vacant residences and were usually retrieved by co-conspirators. After being distributed in the Metropolitan Washington area, the resulting cash proceeds were deposited into bank accounts. The cash was then withdrawn, with most of the withdrawals occurring in Arizona.

During the course of the investigation, a total of 88 pounds of marijuana was intercepted at a street value of over $220,000. In addition, analysis of records of the bank accounts used to launder drug profits revealed over $300,000 in laundered money. This criminal organization was responsible for over $500,000 worth of illegal drugs and the illegal proceeds associated with these drugs.

This investigation was lengthy and complex and involved the assistance of several agencies to be successful. This case was investigated with the cooperation from the Financial Crime Intelligence Center of the Office of the Attorney General, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Prince William County Police Department and the Yavapai County, Arizona Sheriff’s Office.